[Isolated traumatic lesions of the abdominal wall musculature]

Six cases of isolated traumatic lesions of the abdominal wall muscles (2 ruptures of the right abdominal muscle and 4 of the anterolateral muscles) are reported. The presence of a "fixed" hematoma or even of a true subcutaneous eventration, the case history (for finding out the injury mechanism or unusual muscular effort), the X-ray examination of the abdomen and especially the ultrasonography can establish the diagnosis. The treatment of this lesion is usually conservative, surgery (performed in 3 cases) being indicated only in those ruptures with large parietal defects or hematomas or in case of diagnostic doubts.